The broader a band’s tonal palette, the richer the music becomes. The Ben Kono Group proves this numerous times on the colorful ‘Crossing’, a sublime ensemble disc that finds lots of unique territory being investigated. The respected New York saxophonist is expert in an array of instruments that stretches from oboe to shakuhachi, and he’s put some deep composing and arranging skills into play on his debut. As Crossing’s varied interests present themselves, its sextet music speaks to both the power of scope and the art of integration. Informed by post-classical, rock, and modern jazz forms, Kono’s flute, English horn, and bass clarinet all help stir the group’s graceful manuevers towards something quite singular.

News

01.05.2016

Ben Kono Group performs selections from CMA commission "Don't Blink" at the 2016 Chamber Music America National Conference in New York City Jan.8 at 5pm.

08.01.2015

The Ben Kono Group recently recorded it's 2013 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Commission "Don't Blink" with Ben Kono, Pete McCann, Henry Hey, Kermit Driscoll, and Satoshi Takeishi. The band will play the work in it's entirety August 13th 7:30pm at the Hopper House Music in the Garden Series in Nyack, NY.

05.21.2014

The Ben Kono Group returns to the Cornelia Street Cafe in NYC June 5th and presents a new body of work commissioned by Chamber Music America New Jazz Works/Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in a world premiere performance.